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Van Gaal running out of defensive options

Manchester United face a crisis at the back ahead of Saturday's clash with West Ham after a disastrous defeat at Leicester City.

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Written ByTony Kelshaw

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Louis van Gaal lost his most senior defender Jonny Evans to an
early injury and had Tyler Blackett sent off late on as United
collapsed to a 5-3 reversal at the King Power Stadium.

Blackett will be suspended for one game for the straight
red card that led to Leonardo Ulloa's 83rd-minute penalty and
Evans left the stadium on crutches.

"I don't know how bad Evans is," Van Gaal said. "We have to
wait for a scan but he is on crutches."

With Phil Jones already sidelined due to a torn hamstring picked
up when on England duty, the Dutchman is running out of options in
defence for the next Premier League encounter.

"I think that Luke Shaw shall be fit enough to play, Marcos Rojo
can play and Chris Smalling can play, so we can manage, but it's a
thin choice," Van Gaal told MUTV.

United led 2-0 and 3-1 thanks to goals from Robin van Persie,
Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera but capitulated to another
embarrassing setback.

Two goals from Ulloa, a David Nugent penalty and further strikes
from Esteban Cambiasso and Jamie Vardy rocked the visitors,
although Rafael looked very hard done by when conceding the first
spot-kick.

"You never expect it when you are two goals ahead for the second
time," said Van Gaal. "You have to kill the game, you have to keep
possession, but we could not do that. We gave it away.

"We created a lot of chances and scored some superb goals but
you have to do it for 90 minutes and not 60."